Published: Friday, February 15, 2013 at 5:11 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, February 15, 2013 at 5:11 p.m.

SARASOTA - The large red tide bloom looming off the coast of south Sarasota county, which led to large fish kills in the region last month, is headed farther south.

Medium to high concentrations of the algae that cause red tide are still being reported in South County, with higher concentrations lingering offshore of Charlotte and Lee counties.

But for Sarasota County, effects of red tide — noxious air that causes respiratory problems and dead fish washing ashore — have been minimal in recent weeks.

The lingering threat to the region's coasts and, as a result the tourist season, is expected to subside further in the coming days, according to the latest forecast models.

“The trajectories are all heading south fairly strongly for the next three-and-a-half days,” said Jason Lenes, a researcher with the Center for Prediction of Red Tide at the University of South Florida.

“So if anything, Sarasota will probably see a weakening of the bloom,” he added.

In mid-January, countless dead fish washed along Southwest Florida shorelines, including Siesta Public Beach, as the red tide bloom moved north. Toxins in the air caused respiratory problems for beachgoers and fish kills had tourism officials worried some travelers might change travel plans.

Concentrations of red tide were reported as far north as Lido Key down through Siesta Key, including Turtle Beach at Midnight Pass Road south to Blind Pass Beach.

<p><em>SARASOTA</em> - The large red tide bloom looming off the coast of south Sarasota county, which led to large fish kills in the region last month, is headed farther south.</p><p>Medium to high concentrations of the algae that cause red tide are still being reported in South County, with higher concentrations lingering offshore of Charlotte and Lee counties.</p><p>But for Sarasota County, effects of red tide — noxious air that causes respiratory problems and dead fish washing ashore — have been minimal in recent weeks.</p><p>The lingering threat to the region's coasts and, as a result the tourist season, is expected to subside further in the coming days, according to the latest forecast models.</p><p>“The trajectories are all heading south fairly strongly for the next three-and-a-half days,” said Jason Lenes, a researcher with the Center for Prediction of Red Tide at the University of South Florida.</p><p>“So if anything, Sarasota will probably see a weakening of the bloom,” he added.</p><p>In mid-January, countless dead fish washed along Southwest Florida shorelines, including Siesta Public Beach, as the red tide bloom moved north. Toxins in the air caused respiratory problems for beachgoers and fish kills had tourism officials worried some travelers might change travel plans.</p><p>Concentrations of red tide were reported as far north as Lido Key down through Siesta Key, including Turtle Beach at Midnight Pass Road south to Blind Pass Beach.</p><p>The latest beach conditions supplied by Mote Marine Laboratory show improved or ideal beach conditions throughout Sarasota County.</p>